A great episode in the 'Small Axe' series. John Boyega puts in a fantastic performance. Uncomfortable viewing at times, but that's not a bad thing. Racism needs to be challenged, and this film does that. Another great piece of work from Steve McQueen.
17 Reviews
A strong addition to Small Axe.
reubenw12330 November 2020
"Big change...that is a slow-turning wheel."
matthewssilverhammer3 February 2021
If you remember Boyega's character from Kathryn Bigelow's Detroit, this is a much more nuanced and empathetic portrait of a similar character. Boyega is great; his chase scene and the subsequent confronting of his fellow officers are fantastic. However, Steve Toussaint as Boyega's father is the standout. Their relationship is the heartbeat, a consistent reminder of how systemic racism gets dealt with as it's passed from generation to generation.
A fascinating look at the difficult start of a successful and influential Black police officer's career
dr_clarke_28 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
After 'Lovers Rock', the third episode in Small Axe sees a return to real-life drama with 'Red, White and Blue'. Again co-written by McQueen and Courttia Newland, it stars John Boyega as Black Police Association founder Leroy Logan as he joins the Met and explores the challenges he faces both at work and at home.
'Red, White and Blue' opens with a young Leroy - in his school uniform - being stop and searched by police, to the fury of his father. It's symptomatic of the racism he experiences throughout his chosen career, but which he doesn't allow to put him off pursuing it; indeed, it forms part of his motivation to join the police and try to change attitudes from within. The story is often emotive: Leroy's dad suffers brutality at the hands of the very police force that Leroy aspires to join. Unsurprisingly, as Leroy struggles with racist attitudes in the police, he also has to contend with the anger of his disapproving family. The dilemma Leroy faces is that he wants to build bridges between the police and the Black community, but then ends up encountering prejudice amongst the former and feeling betrayed by some members of the latter.
The two writers again demonstrate a mastery of characterisation, and Boyega is great, giving a very human, charismatic and often serious performance that shows off once again his talents as a leading man. Steve Toussaint is also excellent as Ken Logan, Leroy's father, and every member of the large supporting cast - including the underrated Neil Maskell in a small role as Leroy's boss Inspector Willis - gives a fine performance. It is of course, brilliantly shot - there's a scene of Leroy and his father reconciling, shot from inside Ken's car after he leaves it to greet his son and complete unheard by the audience. The chase scene in the factory shows off pretty much every type of shot a camera can be used for, with McQueen once again treating this like a feature film rather than a television film and showing what can be accomplished by a talented director with a relatively small budget.
Leroy Logan went on to have a hugely successful and influential career, which eventually earned him an MBE. That all came later and 'Red, White and Blue' only shows us the start: it ends on a downbeat note, albeit one undercut with cautious optimism. Viewers are likely to wish that more of Logan's life - which he documented in his autobiography - is to follow.
'Red, White and Blue' opens with a young Leroy - in his school uniform - being stop and searched by police, to the fury of his father. It's symptomatic of the racism he experiences throughout his chosen career, but which he doesn't allow to put him off pursuing it; indeed, it forms part of his motivation to join the police and try to change attitudes from within. The story is often emotive: Leroy's dad suffers brutality at the hands of the very police force that Leroy aspires to join. Unsurprisingly, as Leroy struggles with racist attitudes in the police, he also has to contend with the anger of his disapproving family. The dilemma Leroy faces is that he wants to build bridges between the police and the Black community, but then ends up encountering prejudice amongst the former and feeling betrayed by some members of the latter.
The two writers again demonstrate a mastery of characterisation, and Boyega is great, giving a very human, charismatic and often serious performance that shows off once again his talents as a leading man. Steve Toussaint is also excellent as Ken Logan, Leroy's father, and every member of the large supporting cast - including the underrated Neil Maskell in a small role as Leroy's boss Inspector Willis - gives a fine performance. It is of course, brilliantly shot - there's a scene of Leroy and his father reconciling, shot from inside Ken's car after he leaves it to greet his son and complete unheard by the audience. The chase scene in the factory shows off pretty much every type of shot a camera can be used for, with McQueen once again treating this like a feature film rather than a television film and showing what can be accomplished by a talented director with a relatively small budget.
Leroy Logan went on to have a hugely successful and influential career, which eventually earned him an MBE. That all came later and 'Red, White and Blue' only shows us the start: it ends on a downbeat note, albeit one undercut with cautious optimism. Viewers are likely to wish that more of Logan's life - which he documented in his autobiography - is to follow.
Small Axe: RED, WHITE & BLUE (2020)
taranpannu0129 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Red, White & Blue is a searing film about the first Black London MET police officer wanting to change the establishment from the inside.
McQueen and co writer Courttia Newland expertly weave complex storytelling into a brisk 1hr 20 runtime. The references to knife violence, the focus on racist attitudes as well as the black community's reaction to Leroy becoming an officer all lead to a great deal of sympathy towards the main character.
Performances are great, John Boyega is ferocious as Leroy but for me it was Steve Toussaint who stole the show. After being a police officer in Lewis, Line of Duty & Scott and Bailey, Toussaint plays Leroy's father who is assaulted by the police. He is a tour de force in this film and although I doubt it I really hope he is pushed into awards season in the supporting role category.
Nadine Marshall, Joy Richardson, Antonia Thomas and Calum Callagahan (who I actually believe to be more despicable then Sam Spruell in 'Mangrove') all provide great support to Boyega and Toussaint.
The cinematography as usual is fantastic, McQueen's trademark long takes and stillness take hold in perfectly placed scenes whilst there are some brilliant use of sound design. The tracking shot within the warehouse was so well done as was the entire sequence, McQueen displayed how easily he can create tension through camera movement, previously shown in 'Widows'.
Red, White & Blue is a compelling story and one that ends on a bittersweet note played perfectly by the two leads. Steve McQueen has once again crafted an enthralling film that is filled with great performances and stunning cinematography all in service of a well written, nuanced script that talks about so much that is still relevant today.
McQueen and co writer Courttia Newland expertly weave complex storytelling into a brisk 1hr 20 runtime. The references to knife violence, the focus on racist attitudes as well as the black community's reaction to Leroy becoming an officer all lead to a great deal of sympathy towards the main character.
Performances are great, John Boyega is ferocious as Leroy but for me it was Steve Toussaint who stole the show. After being a police officer in Lewis, Line of Duty & Scott and Bailey, Toussaint plays Leroy's father who is assaulted by the police. He is a tour de force in this film and although I doubt it I really hope he is pushed into awards season in the supporting role category.
Nadine Marshall, Joy Richardson, Antonia Thomas and Calum Callagahan (who I actually believe to be more despicable then Sam Spruell in 'Mangrove') all provide great support to Boyega and Toussaint.
The cinematography as usual is fantastic, McQueen's trademark long takes and stillness take hold in perfectly placed scenes whilst there are some brilliant use of sound design. The tracking shot within the warehouse was so well done as was the entire sequence, McQueen displayed how easily he can create tension through camera movement, previously shown in 'Widows'.
Red, White & Blue is a compelling story and one that ends on a bittersweet note played perfectly by the two leads. Steve McQueen has once again crafted an enthralling film that is filled with great performances and stunning cinematography all in service of a well written, nuanced script that talks about so much that is still relevant today.
Red, White and Blue
Prismark107 December 2020
Red, White and Blue reminded me of a mock paper I did for my English language exams at school in the 1980s. It was about the power of advertising.
It was a police recruitment advert in a newspaper. There were pictures of two London policemen, both looked alike apart from one was white and the other was black. The headline said 'Brothers in Law.'
The campaign was in response to The Scarman Report after the inner city riots of the early 1980s. The government wanted more black and asian bobbies.
It was a memorable advert, I still remember it. Good public relations but that is all it was.
The Metropolitan Police of London did not change its attitudes on race or their ethnic minority colleagues. The Macpherson Report of 1999 labelled them as institutionally racist and wanted more ethnic minority recruits. Targets were set and were not met.
Over 20 years after Macpherson, I doubt it has got much better. Stop and search still disproportionately affects minority groups in London.
This drama looks to be set in the early 1980s. Leroy Logan (John Boyega) is a graduate who joins the police hoping he can make a difference. He thinks he can be a bridge between different communities. This is after his father is needlessly beaten to a pulp by some policemen.
Leroy aces his training but reality hits home when he joins a police station. He encounters indifference at best and racism at worse. One Asian officer has had enough. Leroy also considers his future,
There is an underlying pessimism to Red, White and Blue. Steve McQueen knows there is no meeting at half way. Any steps the police make is only for PR purposes.
There is a good performance from Boyega but it does finish abruptly. It's like McQueen wanted to leave a questioning hanging up in the air.
Maybe McQueen wishes to revisit Leroy some time later in the future.
It was a police recruitment advert in a newspaper. There were pictures of two London policemen, both looked alike apart from one was white and the other was black. The headline said 'Brothers in Law.'
The campaign was in response to The Scarman Report after the inner city riots of the early 1980s. The government wanted more black and asian bobbies.
It was a memorable advert, I still remember it. Good public relations but that is all it was.
The Metropolitan Police of London did not change its attitudes on race or their ethnic minority colleagues. The Macpherson Report of 1999 labelled them as institutionally racist and wanted more ethnic minority recruits. Targets were set and were not met.
Over 20 years after Macpherson, I doubt it has got much better. Stop and search still disproportionately affects minority groups in London.
This drama looks to be set in the early 1980s. Leroy Logan (John Boyega) is a graduate who joins the police hoping he can make a difference. He thinks he can be a bridge between different communities. This is after his father is needlessly beaten to a pulp by some policemen.
Leroy aces his training but reality hits home when he joins a police station. He encounters indifference at best and racism at worse. One Asian officer has had enough. Leroy also considers his future,
There is an underlying pessimism to Red, White and Blue. Steve McQueen knows there is no meeting at half way. Any steps the police make is only for PR purposes.
There is a good performance from Boyega but it does finish abruptly. It's like McQueen wanted to leave a questioning hanging up in the air.
Maybe McQueen wishes to revisit Leroy some time later in the future.
Great episode, but seems to be missing an ending
neilmiddlebrook2 December 2020
This was really well written and the acting was spot on. I thought it was part of a 3 episode mini series, this episode ended right where I expected it to continue. I was surprised when the next episode in the series, was something completely different. This should have expanded so much more and shown how he did progress and change things
The abrupt ending is the point
jshea-596006 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
John Boyega and Steve Toussaint are brilliant as Leroy Logan and his father Kenneth, Englishmen of Jamaican descent in 1980s London. Kenneth has been scarred by persistent police oppression, and is determined that his son overcome systemic racism through educational achievement, by being "more British than the British". Leroy starts the film as a research scientist, but then joins the police force to try to fight racism from within. The film, based on real life, focuses on the conflict between Leroy and Kenneth; the conflict between Leroy and his racist fellow officers; and the conflict between Leroy and his community, many of whom regard him as a sellout "coconut".
The most controversial part of the film is its ending. Many reviews here have noted that the film ends too soon, and that was my initial reaction as well. Upon further reflection I think that the ending is just right. We expect the film to last another 40-60 minutes so that we can have a satisfying story arc, in which Leroy changes the prejudiced attitudes of the other officers, while building more trust in the community. By not giving us that ending, director Steve McQueen is pointedly telling us that such change doesn't happen in real life, at least not on a Hollywood time scale. The only conflict that is resolved is the one between Leroy and his father, who come to respect their differences and drink together to the observation that real change is at best a slow-turning wheel.
The most controversial part of the film is its ending. Many reviews here have noted that the film ends too soon, and that was my initial reaction as well. Upon further reflection I think that the ending is just right. We expect the film to last another 40-60 minutes so that we can have a satisfying story arc, in which Leroy changes the prejudiced attitudes of the other officers, while building more trust in the community. By not giving us that ending, director Steve McQueen is pointedly telling us that such change doesn't happen in real life, at least not on a Hollywood time scale. The only conflict that is resolved is the one between Leroy and his father, who come to respect their differences and drink together to the observation that real change is at best a slow-turning wheel.
Red, White and Blue
jboothmillard12 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Small Axe was an anthology of made-for-TV films from the BBC, suitably broadcast during the Black Lives Matter movement, created and directed by Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame, 12 Years a Slave, Widows) - Red, White and Blue was the third film of the series. Based on the true story, Leroy Logan (Golden Globe winning and BAFTA nominated John Boyega) is an officer in the London Metropolitan Police. When he was younger, he witnessed his father assaulted by two policemen, motivating him to join the police. Logan was determined to change the racist attitudes of the police and founded the Black Police Association, attempting to reform the police force from within. Also starring Steve Toussaint as Kenneth Logan, Joy Richardson as Mrs. Logan, Corey Peterson as Philford, Neil Maskell as Inspector Willis, Stephen Boxer as Chief Inspector, Calum Callaghan as Beck, Antonia Thomas as Gretl, Liam Garrigan as Greg Huggan, Tyrone Huntley as Leee John, and Steve Nicolson as Drill Instructor. The performances are all good, the story is engaging, the period detail is well done, and it really puts across how far Britain has come and how much needs to change with attitudes to race and equality, a most watchable historical drama. Small Axe was nominated the BAFTA for Mini-Series, and it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Very good!
Highly worthwhile third SA instalment
wellthatswhatithinkanyway17 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
Britain, the early 1980's. Leroy Logan (John Boyega) is working as a research scientist, but after learning the police are looking to recruit people from ethnic minorities, considers putting his name forward. After his dad, Kenneth (Steve Logan) is brutally attacked by two officers, he goes ahead and joins, determined to make change from within, falling out with his dad as a result. But after making it through training school and passing the written tests, he has no idea what an insurmountable obstacle he will face in his quest to make a difference.
For the third part of his Small Axe anthology, Steve McQueen charts another true life story, highlighting the 'black experience' in Britain, at a pivotal moment in time for race relations. Taken direct from the source, with the real life Leroy Logan contributing to the story, although I can't speak from memory having not been around then, it would seem throughout the seventies and in to the early '80s, openly racist attitudes were the order of the day in British society, particularly in institutions like the police force, culminating in the botched investigation in to the Stephen Lawrence murder in the early 90's, that propelled major societal change.
It would be something to see an accurate depiction of a real racist copper from that time period, and while this is a nut McQueen has to crack, the racist behaviour by the officers here can feel a little cartoonish, tripping over some clumsy dialogue, and improbable set ups (suspecting a kid in school uniform of trying to steal cars!) Despite this, in the lead role Boyega proves the saving grace, once again proving himself capable of handling more demanding material after 2017's Detroit, contrasting Logan by turns with an intellectual calmness and booming intensity.
To his credit, McQueen doesn't cheapen his film by rounding it off with some sentimentalist happy ending, with Logan failing in his mission to make change, and instead sharing a commiserating heart to heart with his at loggerheads dad. In spite of all the writing not being this subtle and nuanced, this bittersweet little moment rounds things off quite fittingly. On a lighter note, given Logan's cousin just happened to be the lead singer of 80's soul band Imagination, it's fused with a cool, funky 80's post disco soundtrack that glides things along just great. ****
Britain, the early 1980's. Leroy Logan (John Boyega) is working as a research scientist, but after learning the police are looking to recruit people from ethnic minorities, considers putting his name forward. After his dad, Kenneth (Steve Logan) is brutally attacked by two officers, he goes ahead and joins, determined to make change from within, falling out with his dad as a result. But after making it through training school and passing the written tests, he has no idea what an insurmountable obstacle he will face in his quest to make a difference.
For the third part of his Small Axe anthology, Steve McQueen charts another true life story, highlighting the 'black experience' in Britain, at a pivotal moment in time for race relations. Taken direct from the source, with the real life Leroy Logan contributing to the story, although I can't speak from memory having not been around then, it would seem throughout the seventies and in to the early '80s, openly racist attitudes were the order of the day in British society, particularly in institutions like the police force, culminating in the botched investigation in to the Stephen Lawrence murder in the early 90's, that propelled major societal change.
It would be something to see an accurate depiction of a real racist copper from that time period, and while this is a nut McQueen has to crack, the racist behaviour by the officers here can feel a little cartoonish, tripping over some clumsy dialogue, and improbable set ups (suspecting a kid in school uniform of trying to steal cars!) Despite this, in the lead role Boyega proves the saving grace, once again proving himself capable of handling more demanding material after 2017's Detroit, contrasting Logan by turns with an intellectual calmness and booming intensity.
To his credit, McQueen doesn't cheapen his film by rounding it off with some sentimentalist happy ending, with Logan failing in his mission to make change, and instead sharing a commiserating heart to heart with his at loggerheads dad. In spite of all the writing not being this subtle and nuanced, this bittersweet little moment rounds things off quite fittingly. On a lighter note, given Logan's cousin just happened to be the lead singer of 80's soul band Imagination, it's fused with a cool, funky 80's post disco soundtrack that glides things along just great. ****
Dialogue sometimes falters, but Boyega is amazing
Jeremy_Urquhart9 October 2021
Only falters a little in the writing- due to the runtime, some of the dialogue is very exposition heavy and feels a little unnatural. This is mainly just in the first act, but it's still noticeable. A longer runtime with more opportunities to set up character and plot points more naturally could've helped.
That being said, everything else is very strong. It's an uncompromising look at the struggles to make any kind of positive change to an institution that already has so many problems and corruption. I admired how McQueen was able to make so many everyday locations still look cinematic (the visuals are very good), the soundtrack is great, and Boyega's performance is fantastic.
It's quite a "big" performance, with heightened emotions in some scenes, but he acts in a way where it never feels over the top. Boyega's always a delight to watch, and I hope he collaborates with McQueen again at some point.
That being said, everything else is very strong. It's an uncompromising look at the struggles to make any kind of positive change to an institution that already has so many problems and corruption. I admired how McQueen was able to make so many everyday locations still look cinematic (the visuals are very good), the soundtrack is great, and Boyega's performance is fantastic.
It's quite a "big" performance, with heightened emotions in some scenes, but he acts in a way where it never feels over the top. Boyega's always a delight to watch, and I hope he collaborates with McQueen again at some point.
Racist cops
allanmichael3030 November 2020
This film follows life of Britain's first police officer of colour but seemed to finish and was like watching a first part of series and I think its based on a real story so its kind of annoying not seeing the rest of his story.
John Boythisguycanact
TheCorniestLemur27 May 2021
Well wasn't this a shot in the arm after Lovers Rock...
Seriously, I was questioning if people only tend to talk about Mangrove because it's the only good episode of this show, but hell no it isn't. This was just as brilliantly directed and shot, conceptually much more interesting, and damn, John Boyega can act and play a really great character.
And hell, everyone in this, and the whole show so far to be fair, can bloody act, and of course Steve McQueen can bloody write and direct his socks off.
The one thing that makes me still label Mangrove as my favourite so far is something I was worried about all throughout watching this: how it would end.
Now, I know this, like Mangrove, is based on a true story, but it's not one I'm familiar with at all, so I'll just lay my cards on the table here: I was hoping for it to end pessimistically, because the police are so screwed up and loaded with deplorable pricks (yes, in Britain too, I live here), that it's impossible for one person alone to change that.
And for a while, it seemed like that was where it was going, but instead it goes...well, kind of nowhere. I don't want to spoil it, but...don't expect some kind of conclusive ending for this. It kind of feels like at one point it was also supposed to be two hours long, but they just decided to leave it at 80 minutes because of some reasons.
But man is everything leading up to that ending amazing, so yeah. Definitely better than Lovers Rock.
Seriously, I was questioning if people only tend to talk about Mangrove because it's the only good episode of this show, but hell no it isn't. This was just as brilliantly directed and shot, conceptually much more interesting, and damn, John Boyega can act and play a really great character.
And hell, everyone in this, and the whole show so far to be fair, can bloody act, and of course Steve McQueen can bloody write and direct his socks off.
The one thing that makes me still label Mangrove as my favourite so far is something I was worried about all throughout watching this: how it would end.
Now, I know this, like Mangrove, is based on a true story, but it's not one I'm familiar with at all, so I'll just lay my cards on the table here: I was hoping for it to end pessimistically, because the police are so screwed up and loaded with deplorable pricks (yes, in Britain too, I live here), that it's impossible for one person alone to change that.
And for a while, it seemed like that was where it was going, but instead it goes...well, kind of nowhere. I don't want to spoil it, but...don't expect some kind of conclusive ending for this. It kind of feels like at one point it was also supposed to be two hours long, but they just decided to leave it at 80 minutes because of some reasons.
But man is everything leading up to that ending amazing, so yeah. Definitely better than Lovers Rock.
Transported back in time
agmoldham14 December 2020
I've never really reviewed many tv productions in the past, but the Small Axe series are worthy of a movie release. The episodes are directed by Steve McQueen and they focus on the West Indian community in the late 20th century.
Red, White and Blue stars John Boyega as Leroy Logan who decides to change the institutionalised racism in the police force by joining the police force. I worked in the police force around the time this was set and the movie certainly resonates with me. It is a very accurate representation of the attitudes at that time. Boyega is very good in the lead role and you certainly get a sense of him deciding which battles are worth fighting. You have to take your hat off to people like Leroy Logan who made sacrifices and faced incredible challenges to change things. There's obviously still a long way to go, but racism will eventually be consigned to history.
If you want to get a sense of what attitudes were like 40 or so years ago in the UK watch this movie.
Red, White and Blue stars John Boyega as Leroy Logan who decides to change the institutionalised racism in the police force by joining the police force. I worked in the police force around the time this was set and the movie certainly resonates with me. It is a very accurate representation of the attitudes at that time. Boyega is very good in the lead role and you certainly get a sense of him deciding which battles are worth fighting. You have to take your hat off to people like Leroy Logan who made sacrifices and faced incredible challenges to change things. There's obviously still a long way to go, but racism will eventually be consigned to history.
If you want to get a sense of what attitudes were like 40 or so years ago in the UK watch this movie.
Resisted Force
Cineanalyst15 January 2021
"Red, White and Blue" is another fine movie among the "Small Axe" anthology from Steve McQueen about the West Indian experience in London circa 1960s-1980s. This one is based on the true story of Leroy Logan who tries to reform policing from within--making him an outcast in two communities, the black and the blue, called a "traitor" by one and worse by the other. One would be forgiven for seeing similarities in subject matter with Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman" (2019), which followed a thread of such reform from blaxploitation films of the 1970s, but has been there since at least the moral uplift of Oscar Micheaux's race films, such as "Within Our Gates" (1920), which featured a black detective among other African Americans in prominent societal positions.
Anyways, this movie does well to keep a balanced tone throughout despite dealing with potentially melodramatic material, including Logan becoming an officer after having been harassed by bobbies as a child and his father being assaulted by cops. A police chase is effective in a different way than the usual action-crime flick, as one may be genuinely more concerned for Logan's safety as well as for the risk that he might adopt the excessive force of fellow policemen. John Boyega in the lead and Steve Toussaint supporting as his father are excellent. There's a particularly good and brief flashback to the father looking in a bathroom mirror compared to the son sitting in a locker room. It's a good little movie, restrained and more powerful in its anti-racist community policing message because of it.
Oh, and yes, it's funny that there's a "Star Wars" pun here about the "force" when star Boyega is best known for starring in the latest trilogy of that franchise. Plus, that character was of two sides, too, stormtrooper law enforcement and resistance fighter.
Anyways, this movie does well to keep a balanced tone throughout despite dealing with potentially melodramatic material, including Logan becoming an officer after having been harassed by bobbies as a child and his father being assaulted by cops. A police chase is effective in a different way than the usual action-crime flick, as one may be genuinely more concerned for Logan's safety as well as for the risk that he might adopt the excessive force of fellow policemen. John Boyega in the lead and Steve Toussaint supporting as his father are excellent. There's a particularly good and brief flashback to the father looking in a bathroom mirror compared to the son sitting in a locker room. It's a good little movie, restrained and more powerful in its anti-racist community policing message because of it.
Oh, and yes, it's funny that there's a "Star Wars" pun here about the "force" when star Boyega is best known for starring in the latest trilogy of that franchise. Plus, that character was of two sides, too, stormtrooper law enforcement and resistance fighter.
Boyega shines in a solid addition to the Small Axe series
eddie_baggins31 January 2021
The third official entry into Steve McQueen's BBC/Amazon backed Small Axe five part series of feature length narratives, Red, White and Blue is a more formulaic event than preceding courtroom drama Mangrove and the extremely experimental Lovers Rock but its still an above average TV release that gives Star Wars great underused talent John Boyega a time to shine in the spotlight.
Based around the true life experiences of British born West Indian Leroy Logan who joined the police force to help promote change in a racially vilified climate, that included an assault on his religious father Ken, Blue is a familiar police drama that never extends the roots of its basing as it follows Boyega's movements from lab worker to upstart police constable who faces dangers and threats from the outside and as well as the inside.
Taking place across a brief 80 minute runtime, we don't get to spend too much time with Leroy and his family and friends but as usual McQueen is well in tune with the humans at the center of his tales and Leroy makes for a likable lead that stems from Boyega's naturally charismatic manner and getting to see the performer play with more meaty material than his been given in the past is a joy to behold and as Leroy's patience wears thin with his racist colleagues and stresses of everyday life in a racist community, Boyega gets to explore sides of his acting ability we have rarely seen in what's easily his most fully rounded performance to date.
Leroy is the type of character and Blue the type of film that deserved and would've likely been able to give a lot to viewers from across the globe had there been more screen time allotted to the journey at the heart of this tale and there does feel as though there was more too explore as the film builds to a certain moment and sentiment only too then end with a sense an extra 30 - 40 minutes could've helped round off the tale of a man up against the odds.
Throughout the film there is still ample moments of grace and thrills, a chase through a factory and some intense standoffs between Leroy and his colleagues are as good of examples of cinematic quality that you will see this year and these elements ensure Blue is a high-class production that is worth tracking down.
Final Say -
A typically assured but less surprising Steve McQueen film that had more too explore if it had so wanted to, Red, White and Blue is a solid racially infused police drama with a great central turn from its underrated lead performer.
3 1/2 fish and chip vans out of 5
Based around the true life experiences of British born West Indian Leroy Logan who joined the police force to help promote change in a racially vilified climate, that included an assault on his religious father Ken, Blue is a familiar police drama that never extends the roots of its basing as it follows Boyega's movements from lab worker to upstart police constable who faces dangers and threats from the outside and as well as the inside.
Taking place across a brief 80 minute runtime, we don't get to spend too much time with Leroy and his family and friends but as usual McQueen is well in tune with the humans at the center of his tales and Leroy makes for a likable lead that stems from Boyega's naturally charismatic manner and getting to see the performer play with more meaty material than his been given in the past is a joy to behold and as Leroy's patience wears thin with his racist colleagues and stresses of everyday life in a racist community, Boyega gets to explore sides of his acting ability we have rarely seen in what's easily his most fully rounded performance to date.
Leroy is the type of character and Blue the type of film that deserved and would've likely been able to give a lot to viewers from across the globe had there been more screen time allotted to the journey at the heart of this tale and there does feel as though there was more too explore as the film builds to a certain moment and sentiment only too then end with a sense an extra 30 - 40 minutes could've helped round off the tale of a man up against the odds.
Throughout the film there is still ample moments of grace and thrills, a chase through a factory and some intense standoffs between Leroy and his colleagues are as good of examples of cinematic quality that you will see this year and these elements ensure Blue is a high-class production that is worth tracking down.
Final Say -
A typically assured but less surprising Steve McQueen film that had more too explore if it had so wanted to, Red, White and Blue is a solid racially infused police drama with a great central turn from its underrated lead performer.
3 1/2 fish and chip vans out of 5
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